'We will support UPA for food security bill': Nitish Kumar

Warming up to the Congress, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said his party supports the Food Security Bill.

"We will support the UPA Government on the Food Security Bill," Kumar told media here.

The ordinance on Food Security Bill was signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on July 5, with the aim of providing foodgrains every month to nation's two-third population at highly subsidized rates.

Political parties have sharply criticized the promulgation of the Ordinance, calling it undemocratic and demanding that the Food Security Bill should be debated in both Houses before being passed.

The Food Security programme when implemented will be the biggest in the world with the government spending estimated at one lakh 25 thousand crore rupees annually.

The Food Security Bill was tabled during the Budget Session of Parliament, but could not be taken up for discussion because of opposition-led disruptions of proceedings arising out of scam-related allegations.

The Food Security Bill is aimed at giving legal rights to 67 percent of the population for a uniform quantity of 5 kg food grains at a fixed price of Rs 1-3 per kg through ration shops.